As the birthplace of American independence, Philadelphia is gearing up for a landmark 2026 – a year that promises to blend history, culture, sport, and celebration like never before.
With a packed event calendar tied to the 250th anniversary of the U.S, six FIFA World Cup matches, major new attractions, world-class exhibitions and unique events, there has never been a better time to discover the “City of Brotherly Love.”
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🇺🇸 America’s Semiquincentennial
As the United States’ birthplace, Philadelphia will be the centerpiece of the 250th American Independence anniversary, with a large number of significant events taking place throughout 2026.
52 Weeks of Firsts: Throughout the year a series titled
52 Weeks of Firsts will spotlight Philadelphia’s historic innovations, cultural firsts and pivotal moments – with neighbourhood festivals, pop-ups, performances and events across the city. Featured Philadelphia “firsts” include inventions like the Slinky, the nation’s first Thanksgiving Day Parade, the American flag and cultural milestones such as Mother’s Day.
Bells Across PA: Bells Across PA is a statewide art exhibition in partnership with America250PA and Mural Arts Philadelphia – is showcasing festively painted Liberty bell replicas in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, with Philadelphia alone set to display 20.
Betsy Ross House: Celebrating 250 Years of the American Flag: America’s most famous seamstress and her historic home celebrate the Semiquincentennial with a lineup of events and programming including immersive tours and historical re-enactments, a new exhibition showcasing rarely seen artifacts, an extra-special Semiquincentennial-themed Flag Fest (6-14th June) and movie nights.
Wawa Welcome America: As part of the anniversary, the city will host expanded celebrations for
Wawa Welcome America and the
Red, White & Blue To‑Do. There will be a city-wide program of events running between Juneteenth and the 4th July, with the two-week festival concluding with a headlining concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, followed by fireworks.
⚽ Sports
Philadelphia will be one of the first cities for FIFA World Cup 2026: Philadelphia will host six big matches at Lincoln Financial Field which are expected to draw over half a million visitors in total to the city. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with Philly’s matches being held between 14th June and 4th July – the last of which takes place on the 250th birthday of the United States.
🥊 50th Anniversary of Rocky
Throughout 2026, Philadelphia will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film franchise that not only inspired a city but became one of the most iconic film franchises of all time.
'Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,' at the Philadelphia Art Museum: Through the lens of the Rocky statue, a monument that is inextricably linked with both the art museum and Philadelphia itself,
Rising Up will explore how monuments are made and remade by artists, by communities, and by time. The exhibition will feature work made from antiquity to the present, spotlighting the under told stories around the statue – of Philadelphia’s boxing legends, immigrant neighbourhoods, and the fight for the future of public spaces. 25th April- 2nd August.
RockyFest: RockyFest is an annual event celebrating all things Rocky which takes place in early December.In 2026, for the 50th anniversary, Philadelphia is gearing up for a once-in-a-generation celebration honoring the city’s most legendary underdog and the iconic Philly locations that made cinematic history. Expect special events, themed experiences, fan meet-ups, exclusive tours, and more.
RockyRun: This legendary run is an annual event, which will be bigger and better in 2026 to commemorate the 50th anniversary.
Rocky Run will be taking place on 14th November.This course is famous for its incredible crowd support and music-lined miles that will power you through every single block. Feed off the infectious Philly energy!
🛳️ New Travel Connections – Cruise Ships & Global Access
Cruises from Philadelphia are launching in April 2026 with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) as the primary operator from the new
PhilaPort Cruise Terminal located near the airport. With cruises to Bermuda, Canada, New England, and the Caribbean, offering an attractive cruise-plus-city trip.
📜 New Cultural Attractions & Exhibitions
Opening 14 February 2026, the iconic The Franklin Institute launches
Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition – an 18,000-square-foot, immersive showcase celebrating the creativity behind global theme parks. The exhibition will feature eight themed galleries, 25 interactive experiences, and over 100 original artifacts from beloved attractions.
The Declaration's Journey at the Museum of the American Revolution: In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Museum of the American Revolution will host
“The Declaration’s Journey”, a special exhibition dedicated to the near and far-reaching impacts of the Declaration, which was written and signed in Philadelphia. Featuring important rare documents, works of art, and artifacts from around the world. Running now until 3rd January 2027.
🏨 New Hotels
The Bourse Hotel will bring a new level of charm and sophistication to Philadelphia’s Historic District as part of Hilton’s exclusive Tapestry Collection. Housed in a landmark building just steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, this iconic structure, originally opened in 1895 as the nation’s first commodities exchange, will be thoughtfully reimagined into a 152-room boutique hotel. A vibrant restaurant featuring a stunning 360-degree bar centerpiece will be located on the ground floor. Opening early 2026, exact date TBC.
The Waylen Hotel, situated at the core of Philadelphia’s Navy Yard campus, The Waylen will convert a 1942 historic naval receiving station into a 223-key, full-service hotel. The hotel marks the pinnacle of Ensemble/Mosaic’s $600 million initial Navy Yard development phase. The Waylen will serve as a central hub, offering over 18,500 square feet of event space, a 6-treatment room spa, a 3-meal restaurant, and cocktail lounge, along with a concealed speakeasy that invokes the charm and mystique of a bygone era. 2026 open date TBC.
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Posted by: Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Posted on: 22/12/2025